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Pétrus

Petrus is a Bordeaux wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation near its eastern border to Saint-Émilion. An estate of limited size, it produces a limited production red wine almost entirely from Merlot grapes, on occasion with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, and produces no second wine. The estate belongs to the family of the Libourne wine merchant JP Moueix.

Although the wines of Pomerol have never been classified, Petrus is widely regarded as the outstanding wine of the appellation by consensus, and leads a duo of Pomerol estates of extreme prices, along with Le Pin, that in the modern era are consistently among the world's most expensive wines.

The vineyard of Petrus extends 11.4 hectares (28 acres) and is located on a plateau in the eastern portion of Pomerol. The grape variety distribution is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Located on top of a 20-hectare (49-acre) island mound, the Petrus boutonnière or buttonhole, the topsoil and the subsoil beneath Petrus' original vineyards consists of a high percentage of iron-rich clay termed crasse de fer, that differs from neighbouring vineyards where the soil is a mixture of gravel-sand or clay-sand. The 1969 land acquisition from Château Gazin does not sit on top of the buttonhole.

The average age of the vines exceed 45 years. The estate was among the first in Bordeaux to implement green-harvesting or éclaircissage as a way to lower crop yields and raise the quality of the remaining grapes. Grapes are hand harvested over two to three days, although the vineyard's small size permits harvesting to be completed in one day if necessary.

A severe pre-assemblage vat selection is carried out and certain parcels are rejected from theGrand Vin. In modern times, Petrus is almost exclusively a Merlot varietal wine, with the available Cabernet Franc only applied in infrequent vintages. The young wine is aged in new French oak for around two years. An average year might yield at most 2,500 cases (220 hl; 5,900 US gal).

Colour Red

Vintage 2010

Producer
Pétrus

Region Bordeaux

Score 100 RP

Condition Mint

Pack Size 3x1.5L

Quantity 0

Duty IB

Wine type Still Wine

100 Robert Parker

The harvest at Petrus took place between September 27 and October 12, and the 2010 finished at 14.1% natural alcohol, which is slightly lower than the 2009's 14.5%. The 2010 reminds me somewhat of the pre-1975 vintages of Petrus, a monster-in-the-making, with loads of mulberry, coffee, licorice and black cherry notes with an overlay of enormous amounts of glycerin and depth. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and more tannic and classic than the 2009, this is an awesome Petrus, but probably needs to be forgotten for 8-10 years. It should last at least another 50 or more.

Someone told me recently that Petrus had a second wine, so I asked Olivier Berrouet, their young, talented administrator, whether that was true, and he flatly denied it, so if any Asian wine buyers are running across second wines of Petrus in Hong Kong or on mainland China, be warned – they are not genuine. Proprietor Jean Moueix, who I believe is in his late twenties, has taken over for his father, Jean-Francois, who has largely retired, and the younger Moueix has really pushed quality even higher at this renowned estate. Anyone visiting Pomerol would have undoubtedly noticed the renovations at Petrus, as it was once one of the most modest and humble buildings in the appellation. Moreover, I suspect that multi-millionaire/billionaire collectors will have about 50 years to debate over which vintage of Petrus turns out better, the 2009 or 2010. In a perfect world, most people would love to have a few bottles of each, or at least the opportunity to taste them once in a while, as they have become more of a myth than something real, but these wines do, in fact, exist!

99 Neal Martin

The Petrus 2010 is a force of nature. It has a voluptuous bouquet with ripe black cherries, creme de cassis, blueberry and peach jam. It has crystalline delineation - modern yet sophisticated. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet ripe entry, rounded and velvety smooth tannins, perfectly judged acidity, harmonious with a long powerful aftertaste. It is more approachable than a year ago, bridled with a sense of completeness. Mesmeric. Tasted January 2014.